Golden 25: #15 -- The Chefs of Lausanne

(ATR) A team of executives led by Director General Christophe De Kepper is at the center of putting IOC policy into practice.

Christophe De Kepper, IOC Director General (ATR)

De Kepper is closing in on two decades in the post, the longest serving full-time DG, surpassing the legendary Francois Carrard.

De Kepper has a hand in all the major issues for the IOC with a team of experts to tackle the specifics.

Deputy director general Pere Miro, now the longest serving executive at the IOC, is now the point-person in controversies and disputes on an international level. He’s handling the situation with Kosovo athletes denied entry visas to Spain and India, for example. Miro is also on top of efforts to rehabilitate the Kuwait Olympic Committee after years of on- and off-again suspensions.

Miro, formerly known as the director for Olympic Solidarity, will now oversee the program. James Macleod will handle the day to day leadership.

Christophe Dubi, IOC Olympic Games Executive Director (ATR)

Executive Director for Olympic Games Christophe Dubi is the workhorse keeping organizing committees on track, especially for compliance with the so-called New Norm of organizing and staging Olympic Games.

Sports Director Kit McConnell is dealing with a sport landscape changing faster than ever. Along with constant review of the existing sports on the Olympic programs, McConnell oversees the selection of the optional sports that are bouncing into each Summer Games. McConnell is involved with sorting out the conflict between the IOC and boxing federation AIBA that could lead to more drastic sanctions, including a ban from Tokyo.

The departure of Strategic Communications director Becky Edwards in November leaves the IOC without a senior executive from North America and one fewer woman. Legal affairs director Anne van Ysendyck, CFO Lana Haddad and Sustainability and Brand Management chief Marie Sallois Dembrevile are the current top female directors.

A very big deal for the IOC staff is the opening of a new headquarters building next June Housing the entire 500+ staff, the massive new edifice is a far cry from the seemingly cozy confines of Chateau de Vidy.

The Around the Rings Golden 25 is the annual survey of individuals who will have the most influence for the Olympic Movement in the year ahead. First published in 1997, this is the 22nd edition.